Continuous-read assay for the detection of de novo HCV RNA polymerase activity

ABSTRACT

The invention provides a method for detecting RNA polymerase activity in a continuous-read manner. Specifically, the invention provides a method for detecting the de novo polymerase activity of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase, NS5B, in a continuous-read manner. The invention also provides a method of screening for modulators of RNA polymerase activity. More specifically, the invention provides a method of screening for modulators of HCV NS5B activity.

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional App. No. 60/425,981, filed Nov. 13, 2002, the disclosure of which is explicitly incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to a method for detecting RNA polymerase activity in a continuous-read manner. Specifically, the invention relates to a method for detecting the de novo polymerase activity of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) RNA polymerase, NS5B, in a continuous-read manner. The invention also relates to a method of screening for modulators of RNA polymerase activity. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of screening for modulators of HCV NS5B activity.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the major cause of non-A and non-B hepatitis. HCV is acquired mainly through contact with infected blood or blood products. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that about 80% of newly infected individuals become chronically infected. WHO also estimates that 170 million people worldwide suffer from chronic HCV infection (World Health Organization, 2000). Many infections progress to chronic liver disease, known as chronic hepatitis C. Patients having chronic hepatitis C are at a high risk for serious liver disease such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Current treatment protocols involve antiviral drugs, such as interferon, which can be administered alone or in combination with ribavirin. However, treatment with interferon is only effective in about 10% to 20% of patients, and treatment with interferon combined with ribavirin is effective in about 30% to 50% of patients (World Health Organization, 2000).

[0004] No effective vaccine has been developed to prevent HCV infection, largely because the mechanism by which HCV establishes viral persistence has not been thoroughly elucidated and the roles of cellular and humoral immune responses in protecting against HCV infection and disease are not well understood. The lack of an effective protective immune response has hampered both the development of a vaccine and any adequate post-exposure prophylaxis measures. Consequently, the need for effective antiviral interventions is paramount to controlling the disease.

[0005] HCV is an enveloped positive strand RNA virus in the Flaviviridae family. The single strand HCV RNA genome is approximately 9500 nucleotides in length and has a single open reading frame (ORF) encoding a single large polyprotein of about 3000 amino acids. In infected cells, this polyprotein is cleaved at multiple sites by two viral proteases to produce several structural and non-structural (NS) proteins. The mature nonstructural proteins of HCV are designated NS2, NS3, NS4A, NS4B, NS5A, and NS5B. NS5B is an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase that is involved in the replication of HCV. An attractive strategy for treating HCV infection is to inhibit replication of the virus by inactivating NS5B.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The invention provides methods for detecting RNA polymerase activity in a continuous-read manner. Specifically, the invention provides methods for detecting the de novo polymerase activity of the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase, NS5B, in a continuous-read manner. The invention also provides methods of screening for modulators of RNA polymerase activity. More specifically, the invention provides methods of screening for modulators of HCV NS5B activity.

[0007] In one method of the invention, RNA polymerase activity is detected in a continuous-read manner by contacting an RNA polymerase with an oligonucleotide template in a reaction mixture comprising an assay buffer, under conditions in which the RNA polymerase is active; adding a fluorescent dye capable of binding double-stranded nucleic acid molecules to the reaction mixture; and measuring the fluorescence of the reaction mixture.

[0008] In another method of the invention, RNA polymerase activity is detected in a continuous-read manner by contacting an RNA polymerase with an oligonucleotide template in a reaction mixture comprising an assay buffer and a fluorescent dye capable of binding double-stranded nucleic acid molecules, under conditions in which the RNA polymerase is active; and measuring the fluorescence of the reaction mixture.

[0009] In another method of the invention, HCV NS5B activity is detected in a continuous-read manner by contacting HCV NS5B with an oligonucleotide template in a reaction mixture comprising an assay buffer, under conditions in which the HCV NS5B is active; adding an unsymmetrical cyanine fluorescent dye (such as the dye sold under the trademark PicoGreen® by Molecular Probes, Inc. of Eugene, Oreg.) to the reaction mixture; and measuring the fluorescence of the reaction mixture.

[0010] In another method of the invention, HCV NS5B activity is detected in a continuous-read manner by contacting HCV NS5B with an oligonucleotide template in a reaction mixture comprising an assay buffer and an unsymmetrical cyanine fluorescent dye (such as the dye sold under the trademark PicoGreen® by Molecular Probes, Inc. of Eugene, Oreg.), under conditions in which the HCV NS5B is active; and measuring the fluorescence of the reaction mixture.

[0011] In another method of the invention, compounds that modulate RNA polymerase activity are determined in a continuous-read manner by contacting an RNA polymerase with an oligonucleotide template in a reaction mixture comprising an assay buffer, under conditions in which the RNA polymerase is active; adding a fluorescent dye capable of binding double-stranded nucleic acid molecules to the reaction mixture; adding a test compound to the reaction mixture; measuring the fluorescence of the reaction mixture; and determining whether the test compound modulates RNA polymerase activity.

[0012] In another method of invention, compounds that modulate RNA polymerase activity are determined in a continuous-read manner by contacting an RNA polymerase with an oligonucleotide template in a reaction mixture comprising an assay buffer and a fluorescent dye capable of binding double-stranded nucleic acid molecules, under conditions in which the RNA polymerase is active; adding a test compound to the reaction mixture; measuring the fluorescence of the reaction mixture; and determining whether the test compound modulates RNA polymerase activity.

[0013] In another method of the invention, compounds that modulate HCV NS5B activity are determined in a continuous-read manner by contacting HCV NS5B with an oligonucleotide template in a reaction mixture comprising an assay buffer, under conditions in which the HCV NS5B is active; adding an unsymmetrical cyanine fluorescent dye (such as the dye sold under the trademark PicoGreen® by Molecular Probes, Inc. of Eugene, Oreg.) to the reaction mixture; adding a test compound to the reaction mixture; measuring the fluorescence of the reaction mixture; and determining whether the test compound modulates HCV NS5B activity.

[0014] In another method of invention, compounds that modulate HCV NS5B activity are determined in a continuous-read manner by contacting HCV NS5B with an oligonucleotide template in a reaction mixture comprising an assay buffer and an unsymmetrical cyanine fluorescent dye (such as the dye sold under the trademark PicoGreen® by Molecular Probes, Inc. of Eugene, Oreg.), under conditions in which the HCV NS5B is active; adding a test compound to the reaction mixture; measuring the fluorescence of the reaction mixture; and determining whether the test compound modulates HCV NS5B activity.

[0015] Specific preferred embodiments of the invention will become evident from the following more detailed description of certain preferred embodiments and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0016]FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 1) and deduced amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 2) of a full-length HCV NS5B polymerase (designated FL NS5B).

[0017]FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate the nucleotide sequence (SEQ ID NO: 3) and deduced amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO: 4) of a C-terminally truncated HCV NS5B polymerase (designated C delta 21 NS5B).

[0018]FIG. 3 is a graph showing a time course for an NS5B-catalyzed reaction containing 56 nM PicoGreen®. Relative fluorescent units (RFU) were plotted with respect to elapsed time and the data fit to a first-order equation for an increasing signal. The results shown for each time point represent the average of three measurements.

[0019]FIG. 4 is a histogram depicting the fluorescent enhancement of PicoGreen® upon binding to double-stranded RNA. The results shown in the histogram for single-stranded and double-stranded RNA at each concentration represent the average of two measurements.

[0020]FIGS. 5A-5C are histograms of the kinetic parameters: span (FIG. 5A), k_(exp) (FIG. 5B), and calculated v_(o) (FIG. 5C), showing the effects of increasing PicoGreen® concentrations on NS5B-dependent reaction kinetics. The results shown in each histogram represent the average of two measurements.

[0021]FIG. 6 is a graph showing an C delta 21 NS5B enzyme-catalyzed reaction containing 600 nM PicoGreen®. RFU were plotted with respect to elapsed time and the data fit to an integrated first-order equation.

[0022]FIG. 7 is a graph showing a first-order full-length NS5B enzyme-catalyzed reaction containing 600 nM PicoGreen® and 75 μg/ml large unilamellar vesicles. RFU were plotted with respect to elapsed time and the data fit to an integrated first-order equation.

[0023]FIG. 8 is a graph showing a C delta 21 NS5B enzyme-catalyzed reaction containing 400 nM SYBR® Green I. RFU were plotted with respect to elapsed time and the data fit to an integrated first-order equation. The results shown for each time point represent the average of four measurements.

[0024]FIG. 9 is a graph showing a C delta 21 NS5B enzyme-catalyzed reaction containing RiboGreen® (1:580 dilution of stock dye). RFU were plotted with respect to elapsed time and the data fit to an integrated first-order equation. The results shown for each time point represent the average of four measurements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] Standard techniques were used for recombinant DNA manipulations, oligonucleotide synthesis, tissue culture, and transformation (e.g., electroporation, lipofection). Enzymatic reactions and purification techniques were performed according to manufacturers' specifications, as commonly accomplished in the art, or as described herein. The techniques and procedures were generally performed according to conventional methods well known in the art and as described in various general and more specific references that are cited and discussed throughout the present specification. See e.g., Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual (3d ed. 2001), which is incorporated herein by reference. Standard techniques can be used for chemical syntheses, chemical analyses, pharmaceutical preparation, formulation, and delivery, and treatment of patients.

[0026] Unless otherwise required by context, singular terms shall include pluralities and plural terms shall include the singular.

[0027] As utilized in accordance with the present disclosure, the terms used herein, unless otherwise indicated, have ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art.

[0028] The invention provides methods of detecting de novo RNA polymerase activity and methods of screening for modulators of RNA polymerase activity in a continuous-read manner. Any RNA polymerase can be used in the method of the invention, including, but not limited to, RNA polymerase I, II, III, and viral RNA polymerases. The RNA polymerase used in the methods of the invention can be either recombinant or endogenous.

[0029] In preferred embodiments of the methods of the invention, the RNA polymerase is the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase, NS5B. In one preferred embodiment, the RNA polymerase is a recombinant HCV NS5B, such as the recombinant HCV NS5B polymerase shown in FIGS. 1A-1C and designated as FL NS5B. In another preferred embodiment, the RNA polymerase is a truncated HCV NS5B polymerase, such as the C-terminally truncated HCV NS5B polymerase shown in FIGS. 2A-2C and designated as C delta 21 NS5B. Other NS5B variants that retain polymerase activity can be used in the methods of the invention. When FL NS5B polymerase is used in the methods of the invention, the reaction mixture should be supplemented with large unilamellar vesicles (MacDonald et al., 1991, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1061:297-303) or cellular microsomes in order to obtain a level of polymerase activity equivalent to that obtained with C delta 21 NS5B.

[0030] A “continuous-read” assay as described herein refers to a method of detecting RNA synthesis without the need to “stop” the reaction. A “stop” or “stopped” reaction, also referred to herein as an “end-point” assay, is one in which RNA synthesis has been terminated. Traditional methods of detecting RNA synthesis involve end-point assays, in which synthesis is detected only at specific time points. A continuous-read kinetic assay, as described herein, yields more information relating to the mechanism of modulating or inhibiting RNA polymerase activity compared with a stopped reaction. For example, the continuous-read assay of the invention provides the ability to rapidly identify reversible and nonreversible inhibitors of RNA polymerase activity.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the methods of the invention comprise contacting an RNA polymerase with an oligonucleotide template in a reaction mixture comprising an assay buffer. The term “contacting” as used herein refers to any action that permits an RNA polymerase to come in contact with an oligonucleotide template, for example, by mixing the polymerase and oligonucleotide together in a well of an assay plate. An oligonucleotide template preferably comprises ribonucleotides, and has a sequence that permits replication by an RNA polymerase. Suitable oligonucleotide templates for use with particular RNA polymerases are well known in the art. For example, it is known in the art that an oligonucleotide template for use in assaying de novo HCV NS5B polymerase must contain two or more C residues or two or more U residues at the 3′ terminus. Suitable oligonucleotide templates for use in assaying de novo HCV NS5B polymerase activity include the following: 5′-C-G-A-U-A-C-U-C-C-C-U-U-U-A-U-A-U-A-A-C-C-A-U-C-A-A-U-C-G-C-C-3′; (SEQ ID NO: 5) 5′-C-G-A-U-A-C-U-C-C-C-U-U-U-A-U-A-U-A-A-C-C-A-U-C-A-A-U-C-G-C-C-C 3′; (SEQ ID NO: 6) and 5′-C-U-C-A-U-A-C-G-A-U-A-C-U-C-A-C-U-C-U-A-U-A-U-A-A-C-A-A-U-C-A-A-U- (SEQ ID NO: 7) C-G-C-C-C-C-U-U-U-C-C-C-C-3′.

[0032] Generally, the methods of the invention are conducted under conditions as described in the Examples below. However, any conditions in which the RNA polymerase is active can be used.

[0033] In the methods of the invention, a fluorescent dye capable of binding double-stranded nucleic acid molecules is used. Preferably, the fluorescent dye is an unsymmetrical cyanine fluorescent dye. A suitable unsymmetrical cyanine fluorescent dye is the dye obtained from Molecular Probes, Inc. (Eugene, Oreg.) in February, 2001, having catalog number P-7581, and being sold under the trademark PicoGreen®. Under preferred assay conditions, this dye is excited at between 475 nm and 495 m and dye fluorescence is detected at between 518 nm and 542 nm. Another suitable unsymmetrical cyanine fluorescent dye is the dye obtained from Molecular Probes, Inc. in January, 2002 having catalog number R-11491, and being sold under the trademark RiboGreen®. Still another suitable fluorescent dye is the dye obtained from Molecular Probes, Inc. in October, 1997, having catalog number S-7563, and being sold under the trademark SYBR® Green I. Preferably, the fluorescent dye used in the continuous-read assay of the invention is the dye being sold under the trademark PicoGreen®.

[0034] Seville et al. describe the use of PicoGreen® for detecting E. coli DNA polymerase III holoenzyme activity in a continuous-read manner (Seville et al., 1996, BioTecniques 21:664-72). However, those investigators did not detect enzyme activity in similar assays using HIV reverse transcriptase. In view of the observations made by Seville et al. when using HIV reverse transcriptase (a viral polymerase) in continuous-read assays, the results of the continuous-read assays described herein are unexpected.

[0035] In certain embodiments, the methods of the invention can be used to identify modulators or inhibitors of RNA polymerase activity in a continuous-read manner. In preferred embodiments, the methods of the invention are used to identify modulators or inhibitors of the HCV NS5B polymerase.

[0036] The term “inhibitor” is used herein to refer to a compound that can block or interfere with RNA polymerase activity. A “modulator of RNA polymerase activity” can be, for example, an agonist or an antagonist of RNA synthesis. An “agonist” of RNA polymerase activity is a compound that initiates or increases the activity of the RNA polymerase. An “antagonist” of RNA polymerase activity is a compound that reduces the activity of the RNA polymerase.

[0037] In other embodiments of the invention, the RNA polymerase modulators or inhibitors identified using the methods of the invention are used to treat patients with a particular disease or condition. In preferred embodiments, the HCV NS5B modulators or inhibitors identified using the methods of the invention are used to treat patients with a disease or condition associated with HCV. HCV-associated diseases and conditions include, but are not limited to, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, autoimmune hepatitis, thrombocytopenia, bone mineral diseases (such as osteosclerosis, osteoporosis, and hepatic osteodystrophy), carcinomas (such as head-neck squamous cell carcinoma and hemangioma), cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, ocular disorders (such as optic neuropathy), fibromyalgia, renal dysfunction, lymphomas, lymphoproliferative disorders, metabolic disorders, arthritis, sleep disorders, and thyroid disorders.

[0038] In other embodiments, the methods of the invention can be combined with end-point assays to confirm the ability of pre-screened compounds to modulate RNA polymerase activity. For example, high-throughput screening (HTS) using end-point biochemical or cell-based assays can be used to screen large libraries of chemical compounds or natural products for inhibitors of NS5B polymerase activity. See Sundberg, 2000, Current Opinion in Biotechnology 11:47-53 (reviewing HTS methods); Hertzberg et al., 2000, Current Opinion in Chemical Biology 4:445-51 (reviewing HTS methods). Chemical or natural products that show activity in HTS using end-point (stopped) assays can then be evaluated using the PicoGreen® continuous-read assay and information obtained regarding the mechanism of inhibition.

[0039] In preferred embodiments, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of one or a plurality of the NS5B polymerase inhibitors or modulators of the invention together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent, carrier, solubilizer, emulsifier, preservative, or adjuvant. Preferably, acceptable formulation materials are nontoxic to recipients at the dosages and concentrations employed. In preferred embodiments, pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of NS5B polymerase inhibitors or modulators are provided. Pharmaceutical compositions can be prepared as described, for example, in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (A. R. Gennaro, ed., 18th ed. 1990).

[0040] The term “pharmaceutical composition” as used herein refers to a chemical compound or composition capable of inducing a desired therapeutic effect when properly administered to a patient. The term “patient” includes human and animal subjects. The term “therapeutically effective amount” refers to the amount of a compound identified in a screening method of the invention determined to produce a therapeutic response in a mammal. Such therapeutically effective amounts are readily ascertained by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0041] The following examples, including the experiments conducted and results achieved, are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1 Measuring NS5B-Dependent De Novo Conversion Of Single-Stranded Template RNA to Double-Stranded Product

[0042] To detect RNA polymerase activity using the methods of the invention, reactions containing a fluorescent dye, a recombinant NS5B polymerase, and an oligonucleotide template were prepared. An unsymmetrical cyanine dye sold under the trademark PicoGreen® was utilized as the fluorescent dye in this assay. This dye, which is manufactured and marketed by Molecular Probes, Inc. as a reagent for double-stranded DNA quantitation, exhibits an approximately 2000-fold fluorescent enhancement upon binding to double-stranded DNA, and a nearly 1100-fold fluorescent enhancement when bound to ribosomal RNA, over dye alone (Singer et al., 1997, Analytical Biochem. 249:228-38).

[0043] A C-terminally truncated NS5B polypeptide, designated as C delta 21 NS5B, was utilized as the recombinant NS5B polypeptide in this assay. The nucleic acid sequence encoding C delta 21 NS5B was engineered to add four amino acid residues at the amino-terminal end of the encoded polypeptide and to replace the 21-amino acid residue hydrophobic tail at the carboxyl-terminal end with a polyhistidine tag. FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate the nucleotide sequence encoding C delta 21 NS5B and the deduced amino acid sequence of C delta 21 NS5B.

[0044] To generate a suitable template, an oligonucleotide having the nucleotide sequence 5′-C-G-A-U-A-C-U-C-C-C-U-U-U-A-U-A-U-A-A-C-C-A-U-C-A-A-U-C-G-C-C-3′ (SEQ ID NO: 5) was prepared by phosphoramidite solid-phase synthesis technology (Matteucci et al., 1981, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 103:3185-91; Beaucage et al., 1981, Tetrahedron Letters 25:1859-62). While NS5B activity can be readily detected by the methods of the invention using unmodified oligonucleotide templates, the 5′ and 3′ ends of the oligonucleotide synthesized above were modified by conjugation with biotin and a deoxy-C terminator, respectively. The resulting oligonucleotide template was designated NR-2.

[0045] Reactions were prepared by first placing 0.5 μL of 100% DMSO into the wells of an assay plate (Corning, black, 384-well, NBS #3654). In reactions in which modulators or inhibitors of RNA polymerase activity are to be identified, a test compound may be added to the DMSO. A solution (Solution-1) containing 162 nM of C delta 21 NS5B and 28 nM NR-2 in an assay buffer comprising 20 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.5; 100 mM ammonium acetate; 2 mM MnCl₂; 10 mM DTT; and 2 mM CHAPS, was then prepared and incubated at ambient temperature for a minimum of 15 minutes. During this incubation, a second solution (Solution-2) was prepared by mixing 76 nM of PicoGreen® with 2.7 μM UTP, 2.7 μM CTP, 2.7 μM ATP, 67 μM GTP in the assay buffer that is described above. Next, 10 μL of Solution-1 was added to the wells of the assay plate containing DMSO and the plate was incubated for 15 minutes at ambient temperature. Reactions were initiated by adding 30 μL of Solution-2 to the DMSO/Solution-1 mixture. The de novo (unprimed) reactions were run for about 1.5 hours after the addition of Solution-2.

[0046] The reactions were monitored on a LJL Analyst (Molecular Devices Corp.; Sunnyvale, Calif.), which excited the PicoGreen® at 485 nm and detected PicoGreen® fluorescence at 530 nm. As shown in FIG. 3, the assay reaction with four nucleotide triphosphates showed a time dependent increase in fluorescence which could be fit to a first order rate equation (R²=0.995). Control reactions (i.e., reactions performed in the absence of nucleotide triphosphates) exhibited no increase in fluorescence.

[0047] To confirm that the kinetic results were double-stranded RNA dependent, an RNA molecule comprising a nucleotide sequence complimentary to that of the NR-2 oligonucleotide template was prepared and annealed to the NR-2 template using standard conditions for RNA-RNA hybridization. Reactions were then performed using 600 nM PicoGreen® and 7 nM, 14 nM, or 21 nM of single or double-stranded NR-2 (FIG. 4). All other reaction conditions were as described above. The fluorescence intensity (FI) observed with double-stranded NR-2 was 3 to 12 fold higher than the Fl observed with single-stranded NR-2.

EXAMPLE 2 Effect of Various Assay Conditions on NS5B Polymerase Activity

[0048] To assess the effect of buffer component concentration on the binding of PicoGreen® to double-stranded NR-2, mixtures containing 7 nM double-stranded NR2, 600 nM PicoGreen®, and varying concentrations of the buffer components were prepared, and the fluorescence intensities of these mixtures were measured. These mixtures were prepared using between 4 fold less to 1.25 to 2 fold more of the individual buffer components (relative to the amount of the components used in the reactions described in Example 1). The results are shown in Table 1. TABLE I Final Concentration Fluorescence Intensity Component (mM) (% of control ± SD; n = 2) Buffer Alone (Control) — 100 MnCl₂ 4 45 ± 2 2 65 ± 1 1 82 ± 1 0.5 96 ± 2 Ammonium Acetate 125 89 ± 2 100 95 ± 1 50 109 ± 1  25 103 ± 1  12.5 105 ± 1  CHAPS 4 102 ± 1  2 96 ± 1 1 96 ± 1 0.5 98 ± 3 DTT 20 96 ± 3 10 100 ± 1  5 100 ± 2  2.5 98 ± 5

[0049] Neither DTT nor chaps affected the binding of PicoGreen® to the double-stranded template, at the concentrations tested. MnCl₂ was found to inhibit the binding of PicoGreen® to the template by approximately 35% and 55% at 2 mM and 4 mM, respectively, and ammonium acetate was found to inhibit PicoGreen® binding by 10% and 5% at 125 mM and 100 mM, respectively. However, 100 mM ammonium acetate appeared to enhance NS5B activity, and this amount of ammonium acetate was used in all subsequent assays.

[0050] The effect of increasing concentrations of PicoGreen® on reaction kinetics was also assessed. As the concentration of PicoGreen® was increased from 50 nM to 600 nM, the span of the first-order reaction increased, and appeared to plateau when between 600 and 800 nM of PicoGreen® was used (FIG. 5A). The experimental rate constant (k_(exp)) of the first-order reaction decreased with increasing PicoGreen® concentrations and appeared to plateau at between 600 and 800 nM of PicoGreen® with slightly less than a two-fold decrease in k_(exp) at 600 nM PicoGreen® (FIG. 5B). The calculated initial velocity (v₀=span x k_(exp)) increased as the concentration of PicoGreen® was increased from 50 to 600 nM, and appeared to plateau at between 600 and 800 nM PicoGreen® (FIG. 5C).

[0051] The results of these experiments indicated that 40 nM NS5B, 7 nM NR-2, and 600 nM PicoGreen® provided reasonable and reliable results for measuring NS5B-dependent activity (FIG. 6).

EXAMPLE 3 Measuring Full-length NS5B-dependent De Novo Conversion of Single-stranded Template RNA to Double-stranded Product in the Presence of Large Unilamellar Vesicles

[0052] Large unilamellar vesicles or other forms of lipid bilayers, such as microsomes, can be used to stabilize enzymes that contain transmembrane domains, as is the case with the HCV full-length NS5B enzyme.

[0053] To assess the effect of large unilamellar vesicles on PicoGreen® binding, reactions were performed as described in Example 1, except for the addition of 80 nM full-length NS5B, 20 nM of the oligonucleotide template set forth in SEQ ID NO: 6, and 75 μg/mL of large unilamellar vesicles. Unilamellar vesicles were prepared according to the method of MacDonald et al., 1991, Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1061:297-303). When reactions mediated by full-length NS5B were supplemented with large unilamellar vesicles, a time dependent increase in fluorescence was observed (FIG. 7). The presence of stabilizing lipid membranes did not significantly interfere with the fluorescence or nucleic acid binding properties of PicoGreen®.

EXAMPLE 4

[0054] Using Other Fluorescent Dyes to Measure RNA polymerase Activity

[0055] To assess the feasibility of using fluorescent dyes other than PicoGreen® in the continuous read fluorescence assay of the invention, reactions were performed using SYBR® Green I (Molecular Probes) or RiboGreen® (Molecular Probes).

[0056] Reactions containing 400 nM SYBR® Green I, 40 nM NS5B C delta 21, and 7 nM NR-2 were found to proceed in a similar manner to those containing PicoGreen®, yielding an increase in the fluorescence signal over time and a usable signal to background ratio (FIG. 8). Similar results were obtained with reactions containing RiboGreen® (1/580 dilution of stock dye) in place of PicoGreen® (FIG. 9).

[0057] It should be understood that the foregoing disclosure emphasizes certain specific embodiments of the invention and that all modifications or alternatives equivalent thereto are within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

1 7 1 1803 DNA Hepatitis C virus CDS (1)..(1803) 1 atg gct agc atg tca atg tcc tat aca tgg aca ggc gcc ctg atc aca 48 Met Ala Ser Met Ser Met Ser Tyr Thr Trp Thr Gly Ala Leu Ile Thr 1 5 10 15 ccg tgc gct gcg gag gaa agc aag ctg ccc atc aac gcg ctg agc aac 96 Pro Cys Ala Ala Glu Glu Ser Lys Leu Pro Ile Asn Ala Leu Ser Asn 20 25 30 tcc ttg ctg cgt cac cat aac ctg gtc tat tcc aca aca tcc cgc agt 144 Ser Leu Leu Arg His His Asn Leu Val Tyr Ser Thr Thr Ser Arg Ser 35 40 45 gca agc ctg cgg cag aag aag gtc acc ttt gac aga ctg caa gtc ctg 192 Ala Ser Leu Arg Gln Lys Lys Val Thr Phe Asp Arg Leu Gln Val Leu 50 55 60 gac gat cat tac cgg gac gtg ctc aag gag atg aag gcg aag gcg tcc 240 Asp Asp His Tyr Arg Asp Val Leu Lys Glu Met Lys Ala Lys Ala Ser 65 70 75 80 aca gtg aag gct aaa ctg cta tct gta gaa gaa gca tgc aag ctg acg 288 Thr Val Lys Ala Lys Leu Leu Ser Val Glu Glu Ala Cys Lys Leu Thr 85 90 95 ccc ccg cat tcg gcc aaa tcc aaa ttt ggc tat ggg gca aag gac gtc 336 Pro Pro His Ser Ala Lys Ser Lys Phe Gly Tyr Gly Ala Lys Asp Val 100 105 110 cgg agc cta tcc agc agg gcc gtt aac cac atc cgc tcc gtg tgg aag 384 Arg Ser Leu Ser Ser Arg Ala Val Asn His Ile Arg Ser Val Trp Lys 115 120 125 gac ttg ctg gag gac act gac aca cca att cag acc acc atc atg gca 432 Asp Leu Leu Glu Asp Thr Asp Thr Pro Ile Gln Thr Thr Ile Met Ala 130 135 140 aaa aat gag gtt ttc tgc gtc caa cca gag aaa gga ggc cgc aaa cca 480 Lys Asn Glu Val Phe Cys Val Gln Pro Glu Lys Gly Gly Arg Lys Pro 145 150 155 160 gct cgc ctc atc gta ttc cca gac ctg gga gtt cgt gta tgc gag aag 528 Ala Arg Leu Ile Val Phe Pro Asp Leu Gly Val Arg Val Cys Glu Lys 165 170 175 atg gcc ctt tac gac gtg gtt tcc act ctt cct cag gcc gtg atg ggc 576 Met Ala Leu Tyr Asp Val Val Ser Thr Leu Pro Gln Ala Val Met Gly 180 185 190 tcc tca tac gga ttc caa tac tct cct aag cag cgg gtc gag ttc ctg 624 Ser Ser Tyr Gly Phe Gln Tyr Ser Pro Lys Gln Arg Val Glu Phe Leu 195 200 205 gtg aat acc tgg aaa gca aag aaa tgc cct atg ggc ttc tca tat gac 672 Val Asn Thr Trp Lys Ala Lys Lys Cys Pro Met Gly Phe Ser Tyr Asp 210 215 220 acc cgc tgt ttt gac tca acg gtc act gag aat gac atc cgt gtt gag 720 Thr Arg Cys Phe Asp Ser Thr Val Thr Glu Asn Asp Ile Arg Val Glu 225 230 235 240 gag tca att tac caa tgt tgt gac ttg gcc ccc gaa gct aga cag gcc 768 Glu Ser Ile Tyr Gln Cys Cys Asp Leu Ala Pro Glu Ala Arg Gln Ala 245 250 255 ata agg tcg ctc aca gag cgg ctc tat gtc ggg ggt ccc atg act aac 816 Ile Arg Ser Leu Thr Glu Arg Leu Tyr Val Gly Gly Pro Met Thr Asn 260 265 270 tcc aaa ggg cag aac tgc ggc tat cgc cgg tgc cgc gcg agc ggc gtg 864 Ser Lys Gly Gln Asn Cys Gly Tyr Arg Arg Cys Arg Ala Ser Gly Val 275 280 285 ctg acg act agc tgc ggt aat acc ctc aca tgc tac ttg aag gcc gct 912 Leu Thr Thr Ser Cys Gly Asn Thr Leu Thr Cys Tyr Leu Lys Ala Ala 290 295 300 gca gcc tgt cga gct gcc aag ctc cag gac tgc acg atg ctc gtg aat 960 Ala Ala Cys Arg Ala Ala Lys Leu Gln Asp Cys Thr Met Leu Val Asn 305 310 315 320 gga gac gac ctt gtc gtt atc tgt gaa agc gcg gga acc caa gag gac 1008 Gly Asp Asp Leu Val Val Ile Cys Glu Ser Ala Gly Thr Gln Glu Asp 325 330 335 gcg gca agc cta cga gtc ttc acg gag gct atg act agg tac tct gcc 1056 Ala Ala Ser Leu Arg Val Phe Thr Glu Ala Met Thr Arg Tyr Ser Ala 340 345 350 ccc cct ggg gac ccg ccc caa ccg gaa tac gac ttg gag ctg ata aca 1104 Pro Pro Gly Asp Pro Pro Gln Pro Glu Tyr Asp Leu Glu Leu Ile Thr 355 360 365 tcg tgt tcc tcc aat gtg tcg gtc gca cac gat gca tct ggc aaa agg 1152 Ser Cys Ser Ser Asn Val Ser Val Ala His Asp Ala Ser Gly Lys Arg 370 375 380 gtg tac tac ctc acc cgt gac ccc acc gtc ccc ctt gcg cgg gct gcg 1200 Val Tyr Tyr Leu Thr Arg Asp Pro Thr Val Pro Leu Ala Arg Ala Ala 385 390 395 400 tgg gag aca gct agg cac act cca gtc aac tcc tgg cta ggc aac atc 1248 Trp Glu Thr Ala Arg His Thr Pro Val Asn Ser Trp Leu Gly Asn Ile 405 410 415 atc atg tat gcg ccc act ttg tgg gca agg atg att ctg atg act cac 1296 Ile Met Tyr Ala Pro Thr Leu Trp Ala Arg Met Ile Leu Met Thr His 420 425 430 ttc ttc tcc atc ctt cta gcc cag gag caa ctt gaa aaa gcc ctg gat 1344 Phe Phe Ser Ile Leu Leu Ala Gln Glu Gln Leu Glu Lys Ala Leu Asp 435 440 445 tgt cag atc tac ggg gct tgt tac tcc att gag cca ctt gac cta cct 1392 Cys Gln Ile Tyr Gly Ala Cys Tyr Ser Ile Glu Pro Leu Asp Leu Pro 450 455 460 cag atc att gaa cga ctc cat ggt ctt agc gca ttt tca ctc cat agt 1440 Gln Ile Ile Glu Arg Leu His Gly Leu Ser Ala Phe Ser Leu His Ser 465 470 475 480 tac tct cca ggt gag atc aat agg gtg gct tca tgc ctc agg aag ctt 1488 Tyr Ser Pro Gly Glu Ile Asn Arg Val Ala Ser Cys Leu Arg Lys Leu 485 490 495 ggg gta cca ccc ttg cga gtc tgg aga cat cgg gcc aga agt gtc cgc 1536 Gly Val Pro Pro Leu Arg Val Trp Arg His Arg Ala Arg Ser Val Arg 500 505 510 gct aag tta ctg tcc cag ggg ggg agg gcc gcc att tgt ggc aag tac 1584 Ala Lys Leu Leu Ser Gln Gly Gly Arg Ala Ala Ile Cys Gly Lys Tyr 515 520 525 ctc ttc aac tgg gca gta agg acc aag ctt aaa ctc act cca att ccg 1632 Leu Phe Asn Trp Ala Val Arg Thr Lys Leu Lys Leu Thr Pro Ile Pro 530 535 540 gct gcg tcc cgg ctg gac ttg tcc ggc tgg ttc gtt gct ggc tac agc 1680 Ala Ala Ser Arg Leu Asp Leu Ser Gly Trp Phe Val Ala Gly Tyr Ser 545 550 555 560 ggg gga gac ata tat cac agc ctg tct cgt gcc cga ccc cgc tgg ttc 1728 Gly Gly Asp Ile Tyr His Ser Leu Ser Arg Ala Arg Pro Arg Trp Phe 565 570 575 atg ttg tgc cta ctc cta ctc tcc gta ggg gta ggc atc tat cta ctc 1776 Met Leu Cys Leu Leu Leu Leu Ser Val Gly Val Gly Ile Tyr Leu Leu 580 585 590 ccc aac cgg cat cac cat cac cat cac 1803 Pro Asn Arg His His His His His His 595 600 2 601 PRT Hepatitis C virus 2 Met Ala Ser Met Ser Met Ser Tyr Thr Trp Thr Gly Ala Leu Ile Thr 1 5 10 15 Pro Cys Ala Ala Glu Glu Ser Lys Leu Pro Ile Asn Ala Leu Ser Asn 20 25 30 Ser Leu Leu Arg His His Asn Leu Val Tyr Ser Thr Thr Ser Arg Ser 35 40 45 Ala Ser Leu Arg Gln Lys Lys Val Thr Phe Asp Arg Leu Gln Val Leu 50 55 60 Asp Asp His Tyr Arg Asp Val Leu Lys Glu Met Lys Ala Lys Ala Ser 65 70 75 80 Thr Val Lys Ala Lys Leu Leu Ser Val Glu Glu Ala Cys Lys Leu Thr 85 90 95 Pro Pro His Ser Ala Lys Ser Lys Phe Gly Tyr Gly Ala Lys Asp Val 100 105 110 Arg Ser Leu Ser Ser Arg Ala Val Asn His Ile Arg Ser Val Trp Lys 115 120 125 Asp Leu Leu Glu Asp Thr Asp Thr Pro Ile Gln Thr Thr Ile Met Ala 130 135 140 Lys Asn Glu Val Phe Cys Val Gln Pro Glu Lys Gly Gly Arg Lys Pro 145 150 155 160 Ala Arg Leu Ile Val Phe Pro Asp Leu Gly Val Arg Val Cys Glu Lys 165 170 175 Met Ala Leu Tyr Asp Val Val Ser Thr Leu Pro Gln Ala Val Met Gly 180 185 190 Ser Ser Tyr Gly Phe Gln Tyr Ser Pro Lys Gln Arg Val Glu Phe Leu 195 200 205 Val Asn Thr Trp Lys Ala Lys Lys Cys Pro Met Gly Phe Ser Tyr Asp 210 215 220 Thr Arg Cys Phe Asp Ser Thr Val Thr Glu Asn Asp Ile Arg Val Glu 225 230 235 240 Glu Ser Ile Tyr Gln Cys Cys Asp Leu Ala Pro Glu Ala Arg Gln Ala 245 250 255 Ile Arg Ser Leu Thr Glu Arg Leu Tyr Val Gly Gly Pro Met Thr Asn 260 265 270 Ser Lys Gly Gln Asn Cys Gly Tyr Arg Arg Cys Arg Ala Ser Gly Val 275 280 285 Leu Thr Thr Ser Cys Gly Asn Thr Leu Thr Cys Tyr Leu Lys Ala Ala 290 295 300 Ala Ala Cys Arg Ala Ala Lys Leu Gln Asp Cys Thr Met Leu Val Asn 305 310 315 320 Gly Asp Asp Leu Val Val Ile Cys Glu Ser Ala Gly Thr Gln Glu Asp 325 330 335 Ala Ala Ser Leu Arg Val Phe Thr Glu Ala Met Thr Arg Tyr Ser Ala 340 345 350 Pro Pro Gly Asp Pro Pro Gln Pro Glu Tyr Asp Leu Glu Leu Ile Thr 355 360 365 Ser Cys Ser Ser Asn Val Ser Val Ala His Asp Ala Ser Gly Lys Arg 370 375 380 Val Tyr Tyr Leu Thr Arg Asp Pro Thr Val Pro Leu Ala Arg Ala Ala 385 390 395 400 Trp Glu Thr Ala Arg His Thr Pro Val Asn Ser Trp Leu Gly Asn Ile 405 410 415 Ile Met Tyr Ala Pro Thr Leu Trp Ala Arg Met Ile Leu Met Thr His 420 425 430 Phe Phe Ser Ile Leu Leu Ala Gln Glu Gln Leu Glu Lys Ala Leu Asp 435 440 445 Cys Gln Ile Tyr Gly Ala Cys Tyr Ser Ile Glu Pro Leu Asp Leu Pro 450 455 460 Gln Ile Ile Glu Arg Leu His Gly Leu Ser Ala Phe Ser Leu His Ser 465 470 475 480 Tyr Ser Pro Gly Glu Ile Asn Arg Val Ala Ser Cys Leu Arg Lys Leu 485 490 495 Gly Val Pro Pro Leu Arg Val Trp Arg His Arg Ala Arg Ser Val Arg 500 505 510 Ala Lys Leu Leu Ser Gln Gly Gly Arg Ala Ala Ile Cys Gly Lys Tyr 515 520 525 Leu Phe Asn Trp Ala Val Arg Thr Lys Leu Lys Leu Thr Pro Ile Pro 530 535 540 Ala Ala Ser Arg Leu Asp Leu Ser Gly Trp Phe Val Ala Gly Tyr Ser 545 550 555 560 Gly Gly Asp Ile Tyr His Ser Leu Ser Arg Ala Arg Pro Arg Trp Phe 565 570 575 Met Leu Cys Leu Leu Leu Leu Ser Val Gly Val Gly Ile Tyr Leu Leu 580 585 590 Pro Asn Arg His His His His His His 595 600 3 1740 DNA Artificial C-terminally truncated HCV NS5B polymerase (C delta 21 NS5B) 3 atg gct agc atg tca atg tcc tat aca tgg aca ggc gcc ctg atc aca 48 Met Ala Ser Met Ser Met Ser Tyr Thr Trp Thr Gly Ala Leu Ile Thr 1 5 10 15 ccg tgc gct gcg gag gaa agc aag ctg ccc atc aac gcg ctg agc aac 96 Pro Cys Ala Ala Glu Glu Ser Lys Leu Pro Ile Asn Ala Leu Ser Asn 20 25 30 tcc ttg ctg cgt cac cat aac ctg gtc tat tcc aca aca tcc cgc agt 144 Ser Leu Leu Arg His His Asn Leu Val Tyr Ser Thr Thr Ser Arg Ser 35 40 45 gca agc ctg cgg cag aag aag gtc acc ttt gac aga ctg caa gtc ctg 192 Ala Ser Leu Arg Gln Lys Lys Val Thr Phe Asp Arg Leu Gln Val Leu 50 55 60 gac gat cat tac cgg gac gtg ctc aag gag atg aag gcg aag gcg tcc 240 Asp Asp His Tyr Arg Asp Val Leu Lys Glu Met Lys Ala Lys Ala Ser 65 70 75 80 aca gtg aag gct aaa ctg cta tct gta gaa gaa gca tgc aag ctg acg 288 Thr Val Lys Ala Lys Leu Leu Ser Val Glu Glu Ala Cys Lys Leu Thr 85 90 95 ccc ccg cat tcg gcc aaa tcc aaa ttt ggc tat ggg gca aag gac gtc 336 Pro Pro His Ser Ala Lys Ser Lys Phe Gly Tyr Gly Ala Lys Asp Val 100 105 110 cgg agc cta tcc agc agg gcc gtt aac cac atc cgc tcc gtg tgg aag 384 Arg Ser Leu Ser Ser Arg Ala Val Asn His Ile Arg Ser Val Trp Lys 115 120 125 gac ttg ctg gag gac act gac aca cca att cag acc acc atc atg gca 432 Asp Leu Leu Glu Asp Thr Asp Thr Pro Ile Gln Thr Thr Ile Met Ala 130 135 140 aaa aat gag gtt ttc tgc gtc caa cca gag aaa gga ggc cgc aaa cca 480 Lys Asn Glu Val Phe Cys Val Gln Pro Glu Lys Gly Gly Arg Lys Pro 145 150 155 160 gct cgc ctc atc gta ttc cca gac ctg gga gtt cgt gta tgc gag aag 528 Ala Arg Leu Ile Val Phe Pro Asp Leu Gly Val Arg Val Cys Glu Lys 165 170 175 atg gcc ctt tac gac gtg gtt tcc act ctt cct cag gcc gtg atg ggc 576 Met Ala Leu Tyr Asp Val Val Ser Thr Leu Pro Gln Ala Val Met Gly 180 185 190 tcc tca tac gga ttc caa tac tct cct aag cag cgg gtc gag ttc ctg 624 Ser Ser Tyr Gly Phe Gln Tyr Ser Pro Lys Gln Arg Val Glu Phe Leu 195 200 205 gtg aat acc tgg aaa gca aag aaa tgc cct atg ggc ttc tca tat gac 672 Val Asn Thr Trp Lys Ala Lys Lys Cys Pro Met Gly Phe Ser Tyr Asp 210 215 220 acc cgc tgt ttt gac tca acg gtc act gag aat gac atc cgt gtt gag 720 Thr Arg Cys Phe Asp Ser Thr Val Thr Glu Asn Asp Ile Arg Val Glu 225 230 235 240 gag tca att tac caa tgt tgt gac ttg gcc ccc gaa gct aga cag gcc 768 Glu Ser Ile Tyr Gln Cys Cys Asp Leu Ala Pro Glu Ala Arg Gln Ala 245 250 255 ata agg tcg ctc aca gag cgg ctc tat gtc ggg ggt ccc atg act aac 816 Ile Arg Ser Leu Thr Glu Arg Leu Tyr Val Gly Gly Pro Met Thr Asn 260 265 270 tcc aaa ggg cag aac tgc ggc tat cgc cgg tgc cgc gcg agc ggc gtg 864 Ser Lys Gly Gln Asn Cys Gly Tyr Arg Arg Cys Arg Ala Ser Gly Val 275 280 285 ctg acg act agc tgc ggt aat acc ctc aca tgc tac ttg aag gcc gct 912 Leu Thr Thr Ser Cys Gly Asn Thr Leu Thr Cys Tyr Leu Lys Ala Ala 290 295 300 gca gcc tgt cga gct gcc aag ctc cag gac tgc acg atg ctc gtg aat 960 Ala Ala Cys Arg Ala Ala Lys Leu Gln Asp Cys Thr Met Leu Val Asn 305 310 315 320 gga gac gac ctt gtc gtt atc tgt gaa agc gcg gga acc caa gag gac 1008 Gly Asp Asp Leu Val Val Ile Cys Glu Ser Ala Gly Thr Gln Glu Asp 325 330 335 gcg gca agc cta cga gtc ttc acg gag gct atg act agg tac tct gcc 1056 Ala Ala Ser Leu Arg Val Phe Thr Glu Ala Met Thr Arg Tyr Ser Ala 340 345 350 ccc cct ggg gac ccg ccc caa ccg gaa tac gac ttg gag ctg ata aca 1104 Pro Pro Gly Asp Pro Pro Gln Pro Glu Tyr Asp Leu Glu Leu Ile Thr 355 360 365 tcg tgt tcc tcc aat gtg tcg gtc gca cac gat gca tct ggc aaa agg 1152 Ser Cys Ser Ser Asn Val Ser Val Ala His Asp Ala Ser Gly Lys Arg 370 375 380 gtg tac tac ctc acc cgt gac ccc acc gtc ccc ctt gcg cgg gct gcg 1200 Val Tyr Tyr Leu Thr Arg Asp Pro Thr Val Pro Leu Ala Arg Ala Ala 385 390 395 400 tgg gag aca gct agg cac act cca gtc aac tcc tgg cta ggc aac atc 1248 Trp Glu Thr Ala Arg His Thr Pro Val Asn Ser Trp Leu Gly Asn Ile 405 410 415 atc atg tat gcg ccc act ttg tgg gca agg atg att ctg atg act cac 1296 Ile Met Tyr Ala Pro Thr Leu Trp Ala Arg Met Ile Leu Met Thr His 420 425 430 ttc ttc tcc atc ctt cta gcc cag gag caa ctt gaa aaa gcc ctg gat 1344 Phe Phe Ser Ile Leu Leu Ala Gln Glu Gln Leu Glu Lys Ala Leu Asp 435 440 445 tgt cag atc tac ggg gct tgt tac tcc att gag cca ctt gac cta cct 1392 Cys Gln Ile Tyr Gly Ala Cys Tyr Ser Ile Glu Pro Leu Asp Leu Pro 450 455 460 cag atc att gaa cga ctc cat ggt ctt agc gca ttt tca ctc cat agt 1440 Gln Ile Ile Glu Arg Leu His Gly Leu Ser Ala Phe Ser Leu His Ser 465 470 475 480 tac tct cca ggt gag atc aat agg gtg gct tca tgc ctc agg aag ctt 1488 Tyr Ser Pro Gly Glu Ile Asn Arg Val Ala Ser Cys Leu Arg Lys Leu 485 490 495 ggg gta cca ccc ttg cga gtc tgg aga cat cgg gcc aga agt gtc cgc 1536 Gly Val Pro Pro Leu Arg Val Trp Arg His Arg Ala Arg Ser Val Arg 500 505 510 gct aag tta ctg tcc cag ggg ggg agg gcc gcc att tgt ggc aag tac 1584 Ala Lys Leu Leu Ser Gln Gly Gly Arg Ala Ala Ile Cys Gly Lys Tyr 515 520 525 ctc ttc aac tgg gca gta agg acc aag ctt aaa ctc act cca att ccg 1632 Leu Phe Asn Trp Ala Val Arg Thr Lys Leu Lys Leu Thr Pro Ile Pro 530 535 540 gct gcg tcc cgg ctg gac ttg tcc ggc tgg ttc gtt gct ggc tac agc 1680 Ala Ala Ser Arg Leu Asp Leu Ser Gly Trp Phe Val Ala Gly Tyr Ser 545 550 555 560 ggg gga gac ata tat cac agc ctg tct cgt gcc cga ccc cgc cat cac 1728 Gly Gly Asp Ile Tyr His Ser Leu Ser Arg Ala Arg Pro Arg His His 565 570 575 cat cac cat cac 1740 His His His His 580 4 580 PRT Artificial C-terminally truncated HCV NS5B polymerase (C delta 21 NS5B) 4 Met Ala Ser Met Ser Met Ser Tyr Thr Trp Thr Gly Ala Leu Ile Thr 1 5 10 15 Pro Cys Ala Ala Glu Glu Ser Lys Leu Pro Ile Asn Ala Leu Ser Asn 20 25 30 Ser Leu Leu Arg His His Asn Leu Val Tyr Ser Thr Thr Ser Arg Ser 35 40 45 Ala Ser Leu Arg Gln Lys Lys Val Thr Phe Asp Arg Leu Gln Val Leu 50 55 60 Asp Asp His Tyr Arg Asp Val Leu Lys Glu Met Lys Ala Lys Ala Ser 65 70 75 80 Thr Val Lys Ala Lys Leu Leu Ser Val Glu Glu Ala Cys Lys Leu Thr 85 90 95 Pro Pro His Ser Ala Lys Ser Lys Phe Gly Tyr Gly Ala Lys Asp Val 100 105 110 Arg Ser Leu Ser Ser Arg Ala Val Asn His Ile Arg Ser Val Trp Lys 115 120 125 Asp Leu Leu Glu Asp Thr Asp Thr Pro Ile Gln Thr Thr Ile Met Ala 130 135 140 Lys Asn Glu Val Phe Cys Val Gln Pro Glu Lys Gly Gly Arg Lys Pro 145 150 155 160 Ala Arg Leu Ile Val Phe Pro Asp Leu Gly Val Arg Val Cys Glu Lys 165 170 175 Met Ala Leu Tyr Asp Val Val Ser Thr Leu Pro Gln Ala Val Met Gly 180 185 190 Ser Ser Tyr Gly Phe Gln Tyr Ser Pro Lys Gln Arg Val Glu Phe Leu 195 200 205 Val Asn Thr Trp Lys Ala Lys Lys Cys Pro Met Gly Phe Ser Tyr Asp 210 215 220 Thr Arg Cys Phe Asp Ser Thr Val Thr Glu Asn Asp Ile Arg Val Glu 225 230 235 240 Glu Ser Ile Tyr Gln Cys Cys Asp Leu Ala Pro Glu Ala Arg Gln Ala 245 250 255 Ile Arg Ser Leu Thr Glu Arg Leu Tyr Val Gly Gly Pro Met Thr Asn 260 265 270 Ser Lys Gly Gln Asn Cys Gly Tyr Arg Arg Cys Arg Ala Ser Gly Val 275 280 285 Leu Thr Thr Ser Cys Gly Asn Thr Leu Thr Cys Tyr Leu Lys Ala Ala 290 295 300 Ala Ala Cys Arg Ala Ala Lys Leu Gln Asp Cys Thr Met Leu Val Asn 305 310 315 320 Gly Asp Asp Leu Val Val Ile Cys Glu Ser Ala Gly Thr Gln Glu Asp 325 330 335 Ala Ala Ser Leu Arg Val Phe Thr Glu Ala Met Thr Arg Tyr Ser Ala 340 345 350 Pro Pro Gly Asp Pro Pro Gln Pro Glu Tyr Asp Leu Glu Leu Ile Thr 355 360 365 Ser Cys Ser Ser Asn Val Ser Val Ala His Asp Ala Ser Gly Lys Arg 370 375 380 Val Tyr Tyr Leu Thr Arg Asp Pro Thr Val Pro Leu Ala Arg Ala Ala 385 390 395 400 Trp Glu Thr Ala Arg His Thr Pro Val Asn Ser Trp Leu Gly Asn Ile 405 410 415 Ile Met Tyr Ala Pro Thr Leu Trp Ala Arg Met Ile Leu Met Thr His 420 425 430 Phe Phe Ser Ile Leu Leu Ala Gln Glu Gln Leu Glu Lys Ala Leu Asp 435 440 445 Cys Gln Ile Tyr Gly Ala Cys Tyr Ser Ile Glu Pro Leu Asp Leu Pro 450 455 460 Gln Ile Ile Glu Arg Leu His Gly Leu Ser Ala Phe Ser Leu His Ser 465 470 475 480 Tyr Ser Pro Gly Glu Ile Asn Arg Val Ala Ser Cys Leu Arg Lys Leu 485 490 495 Gly Val Pro Pro Leu Arg Val Trp Arg His Arg Ala Arg Ser Val Arg 500 505 510 Ala Lys Leu Leu Ser Gln Gly Gly Arg Ala Ala Ile Cys Gly Lys Tyr 515 520 525 Leu Phe Asn Trp Ala Val Arg Thr Lys Leu Lys Leu Thr Pro Ile Pro 530 535 540 Ala Ala Ser Arg Leu Asp Leu Ser Gly Trp Phe Val Ala Gly Tyr Ser 545 550 555 560 Gly Gly Asp Ile Tyr His Ser Leu Ser Arg Ala Arg Pro Arg His His 565 570 575 His His His His 580 5 31 RNA Artificial HCV NS5B polymerase oligonucleotide template 5 cgauacuccc uuuauauaac caucaaucgc c 31 6 32 RNA Artificial HCV NS5B polymerase oligonucleotide template 6 cgauacuccc uuuauauaac caucaaucgc cc 32 7 46 RNA Artificial HCV NS5B polymerase oligonucleotide template 7 cucauacgau acucacucua uauaacaauc aaucgccccu uucccc 46 

We claim:
 1. A method of detecting RNA polymerase activity in a continuous-read manner, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting an RNA polymerase with an oligonucleotide template in a reaction mixture comprising an assay buffer, under conditions in which the RNA polymerase is active; (b) adding a fluorescent dye capable of binding double-stranded nucleic acid molecules to the reaction mixture; (c) measuring the fluorescence of the reaction mixture.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the RNA polymerase is a recombinant RNA polymerase.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the RNA polymerase is the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase, NS5B.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the NS5B polymerase is a recombinant NS5B polymerase.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the recombinant NS5B polymerase comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 2. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the reaction mixture further comprises large unilamellar vesicles.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the recombinant NS5B polymerase comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 4. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluorescent dye is an unsymmetrical cyanine fluorescent dye.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the unsymmetrical cyanine fluorescent dye is excited at between 475 nm and 495 nm and dye fluorescence is detected at between 518 nm and 542 nm.
 10. A method of detecting RNA polymerase activity in a continuous-read manner, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting an RNA polymerase with an oligonucleotide template in a reaction mixture comprising an assay buffer and a fluorescent dye capable of binding double-stranded nucleic acid molecules, under conditions in which the RNA polymerase is active; and (b) measuring the fluorescence of the reaction mixture.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the RNA polymerase is a recombinant RNA polymerase.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the RNA polymerase is the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase, NS5B.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the NS5B polymerase is a recombinant NS5B polymerase.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the recombinant NS5B polymerase comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 2. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the reaction mixture further comprises large unilamellar vesicles.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein the recombinant NS5B polymerase comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 4. 17. The method of claim 10, wherein the fluorescent dye is an unsymmetrical cyanine fluorescent dye.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the unsymmetrical cyanine fluorescent dye is excited at between 475 nm and 495 nm and dye fluorescence is detected at between 518 nm and 542 nm.
 19. A method of screening for compounds that modulate RNA polymerase activity in a continuous-read manner, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting an RNA polymerase with an oligonucleotide template in a reaction mixture comprising an assay buffer, under conditions in which the RNA polymerase is active; (b) adding a fluorescent dye capable of binding double-stranded nucleic acid molecules to the reaction mixture; (c) adding a test compound to the reaction mixture; (d) measuring the fluorescence of the reaction mixture; and (e) determining whether the test compound modulates RNA polymerase activity.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the RNA polymerase is a recombinant RNA polymerase.
 21. The method of claim 19, wherein the RNA polymerase is the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase, NS5B.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the NS5B polymerase is a recombinant NS5B polymerase.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the recombinant NS5B polymerase comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 2. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the reaction mixture further comprises large unilamellar vesicles.
 25. The method of claim 22, wherein the recombinant NS5B polymerase comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 4. 26. The method of claim 19, wherein the fluorescent dye is an unsymmetrical cyanine fluorescent dye.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the unsymmetrical cyanine fluorescent dye is excited at between 475 nm and 495 nm and dye fluorescence is detected at between 518 nm and 542 nm.
 28. The method of claim 19, wherein the compound that modulates the RNA polymerase activity is an antagonist of the RNA polymerase activity.
 29. The method of claim 19, wherein the compound that modulates the RNA polymerase activity is an agonist of the RNA polymerase activity.
 30. A method of screening for compounds that modulate RNA polymerase activity in a continuous-read manner, comprising the steps of: (a) contacting an RNA polymerase with an oligonucleotide template in a reaction mixture comprising an assay buffer and a fluorescent dye capable of binding double-stranded nucleic acid molecules, under conditions in which the RNA polymerase is active; (b) adding a test compound to the reaction mixture; (c) measuring the fluorescence of the reaction mixture; and (d) determining whether the test compound modulates RNA polymerase activity.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the RNA polymerase is a recombinant RNA polymerase.
 32. The method of claim 30, wherein the RNA polymerase is the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) polymerase, NS5B.
 33. The method of claim 31, wherein the NS5B polymerase is a recombinant NS5B polymerase.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the recombinant NS5B polymerase comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 2. 35. The method of claim 34, wherein the reaction mixture further comprises large unilamellar vesicles.
 36. The method of claim 33, wherein the recombinant NS5B polymerase comprises an amino acid sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
 4. 37. The method of claim 30, wherein the fluorescent dye is an unsymmetrical cyanine fluorescent dye.
 38. The method of claim 37, wherein the unsymmetrical cyanine fluorescent dye is excited at between 475 nm and 495 nm and dye fluorescence is detected at between 518 nm and 542 nm.
 39. The method of claim 30, wherein the compound that modulates the RNA polymerase activity is an antagonist of the RNA polymerase activity.
 40. The method of claim 30, wherein the compound that modulates the RNA polymerase activity is an agonist of the RNA polymerase activity. 